Guide to birding in Marana

By Janine Spencer
Environmental Projects Manager
Town of Marana

Why is Birding So Good in Marana?

Birding (i.e. bird-watching) has become an increasingly popular recreation in the United States. Southern Arizona is known as one of the premier bird hot spots in the U.S.  People visit Arizona from around the world to view the great variety of species here. Southern Arizona is located at the junction of the Sonoran Desert, Chihuahuan Desert, and the mountain ranges from Northern Mexico and the Southern U.S.  This great coming-together of such a variety of habitat types means that we have bird species associated with all of those habitats here in Southern Arizona.

There are several different micro-habitat types within the Town of Marana, each with its own suite of bird species. The Tortolita and Tucson Mountains are located in the Upper Sonoran Desert Scrub, where golden eagles and other species nest. There are lush patches of riparian vegetation for wading birds and ducks along the Santa Cruz River, and the irrigated farmlands provide habitat for hawks, burrowing owls, and other species.

Where the Birds Are in Marana?

This article describes four good sites to view birds in Marana.

• El Rio Open Space is a fairly easy walking area where one can see riparian and grassland species, as well as views of raptors soaring above the nearby Tucson Mountains.
• The Crossroads Park River Walk along the Santa Cruz River is great for spotting riparian species, including many warblers, and during summer evenings bats emerge in vast numbers near the Ina Road Bridge.
• There are several good hiking trails Tortolita Mountains, with opportunities to see hawks, eagles, and many other species.
•  The irrigated farm fields in Marana are especially of interest for locating raptor species.

El Rio Open Space / Coachline Gravel Pit

This site is listed in Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, Revised 8th Edition (2015) edited by Ken Kaufman. It is also advertised on the Tucson Audubon Society website, is mentioned periodically on the Arizona-New Mexico Birding Listserv site, and is part of a survey route for an Important Bird Area. El Rio Open Space was also featured in the April-June 2013 edition of the Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher magazine. This site is an excavated pit where sand and gravel were removed for construction of Interstate-10. It is bounded by the Santa Cruz River to the east and the northern terminus of the Tucson Mountains. Tucson Audubon Society has worked on riparian restoration, planting native vegetation here.

During rainstorms, the gravel pit fills with water, stays wet for months, and becomes a great spot to easily view waterfowl and shorebirds. Some birds encountered here have included: Belted Kingfisher, Pied-billed Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Black-necked Stilt, several duck species, and more. The birding remains interesting even when the pond is dry; during the summer months, Bell’s Vireos nest in the tamarisk, Gilded Flickers, Lazuli Buntings, Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunners, an Eastern Phoebe, and many other species have been sighted. Even sandhill cranes stop by in the late fall, presumably on their way to the Wilcox Playa.

Hawks and falcons take advantage of the updrafts along the ridge of the Tucson Mountains, where you can spot Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons, Cooper’s Hawks are commonly sighted. A Black Hawk was once sighted during migration. The Sonoran Desert, with saguaros and prickly pear, directly adjoin the El Rio Open Space – so there are opportunities to spot Rock Wrens, Canyon Wrens, Black-tailed Gnatcatchers, Verdins, Gila Woodpeckers, and hear the occasional downward trill of the Canyon Wren.

Directions: To get to the El Rio Open Space, exit Interstate 10 at Twin Peaks Road. Go west about one mile and turn right on Coachline Boulevard. Take Coachline Blvd north of Twin Peaks Rd. Park at the parking lot just before N. Turquoise Moon Way.

Crossroads Park River Walk (between Cortaro and Ina Roads)

This is a mile-long walk one way, on a paved pathway along the Santa Cruz River, between Cortaro and Ina Roads. Riparian vegetation along the river is lush with cottonwoods, willows, cattails, and tamarisk. The path is used by birders, walkers, and cyclists. Native upland vegetation has been planted along the entire length of the path

Birding is best here during breeding season when Yellow Warblers, Bell’s Vireos, Orange-crowned Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers, Lucy’s Warblers and Common Yellowthroat are present. Other common or year-round residents include Red-winged Blackbirds, Spotted Sandpipers, Killdeer, Gila Woodpeckers, Black Phoebes, Say’s Phoebes, Verdins, Abert’s Towhees, Song Sparrows, Great-tailed Grackles, Gambel’s quail, and Lesser Goldfinches. Raptors include Cooper’s Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, and American Kestrels. Black-necked Stilts and several species of ducks (including an occasional wood duck) are common during the winter months. About 70-80 species can be seen here regularly, with rarities showing up at times.

Besides birds, you can also watch hundreds to thousands of bats emerge from the Ina Road Bridge on summer evenings. Mexican free-tailed bats are the most numerous occupants under the bridge. Some overwinter in Arizona, but many go to Mexico for the winter and return to Southern Arizona in the summer.

Directions: Take Interstate-10 to the Cortaro Road exit and go west on Cortaro Rd. Turn south on Silverbell Road an turn in at the Crossroads District Park sign. Drive toward the library and turn left into the parking lot by the volleyball courts. Walk east toward the tall swath of greenery along the river. There is a paved trail you can follow to the south to the Ina Road Bridge.

Tortolita Mountains

The Tortolita Mountains are located on the northwest edge of the Tucson Valley. The Tortolitas are a small, rocky, rugged mountain range near the Pima/Pinal County border. There are large, healthy stands of saguaro cactus and a few junipers in the higher areas. Elevations range from approximately 2,500 ft to 4,200 ft. There are several crested saguaros visible from the trails in the Tortolita Mountains. Vegetation is Upper Sonoran Desert palo verdi, mixed cacti, and Southwest riparian deciduous forest and woodland.

Cactus wrens, Rock Wrens, Roadrunners, Phainopeplas Black-tailed Gnatcatchers, Cardinals, Brown-crested Flycatchers, Gila Woodpeckers, Mockingbirds, Bell’s Vireos, Anna’s Hummingbirds, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Ravens, Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, and more occur in the Tortolitas. You may also catch a glimpse of the wild horses that inhabit the area, as well as Sonoran Desert Tortoises or Gila Monsters.

Directions: Drive north of Tucson on Interstate-10 and take the Twin Peaks Road exit, heading northeast. Go several miles and as you cross Tangerine Road, Twin Peaks becomes Dove Mountain Boulevard. Follow this road to its end (through the gates for the Ritz Carlton Resort). There will be a Marana parking lot on your right a short distance after the entrance gate to the Ritz Carlton. There are several trails in the Tortolita Mountains; you can obtain a map at the Marana Parks & Recreation Department. These hikes vary in difficulty so be aware to bring water and be well-prepared to hike.

The Farm Fields of Marana

There are a variety of species that can be viewed from public roads along the irrigated farm fields in Marana. Species range from waterfowl and shorebirds to burrowing owls and hawks. Some birds that are frequently viewed in the flooded farm fields and along irrigation ditches include: White-faced Ibis, Great Egrets, Red-winged Blackbirds, Horned Larks, and ducks. Between March and July, Burrowing Owl families live in burrows along the irrigation ditches. If you look carefully, you may see the youngsters peeking out of their hole, while a parent stands by watchfully. Some of the owls stay all winter, so it’s worth a drive any time of year.

Marana In The Media: MHC giving away "lock boxes" to combat opioid abuse

News 4 Tucson, KVOA had a story on Marana-based MHC giving away "lock boxes" to combat opioid abuse.

MHC Healthcare is fighting against the opioid abuse epidemic by providing lock boxes free of charge to patients who are prescribed potentially addictive drugs.

The MHC Healthcare foundation funded the purchase of 90 medicine lock boxes to begin rolling out to patients.

"This will help to secure the medicine for the patient and keep the medicine out of the wrong hands,” said Dr. Greg Redding, MHC Healthcare pharmacy director.

Redding noted the absence of any type of medicine security is a possible recipe for disaster.

"Somebody sees it in there who may have a drug problem of their own and they take some of the medication, it's stronger than what they're used to taking, then they're in real trouble,” Redding said.

Since June 15, 2017, the Arizona state health department has recorded nearly 1,000 suspected opioid deaths and over 6,300 overdoses.

FULL STORY

The Town of Marana will be hosting a Dispose-A-Med event on April 14 at the Target on 3901 W. Ina Road from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. They will be collecting unused or expire prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. 

Marana Founders' Day Parade Awards

The centerpiece of Marana Founders’ Day is the annual parade. This year’s parade made its way down a new route that included a trip down Main Street past MHC Healthcare and the Marana Municipal Complex.

The parade had over 90 entries including a marching band, vintage and new corvettes, horseback riders, and floats. This year’s theme was “Float Through Time” and the parade judges voted on awards in three categories.

Best Spirit: Marana Unified School District

MUSD came out in force, with students, teachers, administrators, and staff from all of their schools. Their entry “Floating Toward the Future” included foil covered letters, cardboard rocket ships, signs for every school, and even two people clad in green body suits. The MUSD representatives walked and rode, giving them one of the biggest entries in the parade.

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Best Use of Theme: Marana Dental Care

Marana Dental Care earned high marks for their float which had a farm motif. Their float had a great attention to detail including kids in costume, a cardboard tractor and barn, hay, and a bandana pattern trim.

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Judges’ Pick: Northwest Outriders

The Northwest Outriders 4H club had one of the longest floats with not one, but two flat beds. One contained a some of the animals that they raise, including goats and calves. The second had members of all ages sitting on hay bales and waving to the crowd.

Ribbon cutting to celebrate Sun Shuttle Service to Premium Outlets

 To commemorate the launch of Sun Shuttle’s new public service to Tucson Premium Outlets, located near Twin Peaks Road and Interstate 10, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the Town of Marana, and the Marana Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting event on Monday, March 19. The event will be held from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at Tucson Premium Outlets, 6401 W. Marana Center Blvd, at the Bus Plaza by the North entry. The public is invited to attend.

Sun Shuttle, the region’s neighborhood transit service funded by the RTA, serves Marana, Oro Valley, Catalina, Sahuarita, Green Valley, San Xavier, Tucson Estates and Rita Ranch/Southeast Tucson.

Sun Shuttle Routes 412 and 413 will provide service Monday – Saturday to the Tucson Premium Outlets. On Routes 412 and 413, passengers can travel throughout Marana, or transfer to several Sun Tran routes for free or to Sun Express Routes 104X and 204X for travel to Downtown or the Aero Park complex. To ride Sun Shuttle, the cost to the public is $1.75 one-way full fare, or 75 cents for seniors 65 years or older, persons with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, and qualified low-income with a SunGO ID & Card. Children five years and younger can ride free with a paying adult.

For specific route information, visit the website at suntran.com/sunshuttle, or call the Customer Service Center at (520) 792-9222 weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. or weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

KVOA: New park projects are underway in Marana

KVOA did a feature on the new parks/amenities being built in the Town. They came out and interviewed Parks & Rec Director Jim Conroy for the latest on Tangerine Sky Park, the splash pad at Crossroads, the pocket park in Honea Heights, and the new disc golf course. 
New Parks

Sun Shuttle adding service to Premium Outlets

Beginning later this month there will be new service changes to Sun Shuttle Routes, including several that might impact Marana residents. New service to the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center

Starting Monday, March 19, two routes will be discontinued, while two routes will add additional stops.

Route 410: Saturday service will be discontinued due to low ridership over many years. The weekday schedule has also been adjusted.

Route 411: Service has been discontinued due to low ridership over many years.

Route 412: A  new stop to serve the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center has been added. Weekday and weekend schedules have been adjusted. Travel will be redirected west on Linda Vista Boulevard to serve the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center, and will no longer service stops on Tangerine Road and North Thornydale Road.

Route 413: A new stop to serve the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center has been added and weekday and weekend schedules have been adjusted.

The Regional Transportation Authority Board (RTA) recently approved the changes in an effort to increase efficiency and improve on-time performance. The current schedules and routes, which were set to expire March 6, will remain active until the changes go into effect on March 19.

Updated Sun Shuttle brochures are available now at suntran.com/sunshuttle and will be available on the vehicles starting Monday, March 12. Brochures provide passengers current fare information and detailed route schedules. The new schedule information will be effective through August 4.

UPDATED ROUTES
MARANA AREA TRANSIT MAPS

Cronkite News: Officials build new homes for bats in Marana

Angel Mendoza of the Cronkite News profiled the efforts to relocate the bats living under the old Ina Road Bridge over the Santa Cruz to the newly constructed bridge.

Most people believe bats primarily live in caves, but the concrete crevices under the old Ina Road bridge in Marana have provided thousands of migratory Mexican free-tailed bats with perfect roosting habitats for years.

However, the crevices – the bats’ usual winter and summer homes – are now gone due to construction and replacement of the bridge, which began in 2016, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Instead, the Ina Road bats will come home to newly designed “Bat Boxes,” engineered specifically to fit directly within the concrete structure of the new eastbound Ina Road bridge – just in time for migration season.

In a refuge from external climate, the roosting bats could slow their metabolism down and use as little energy as possible, just as they used to in the bridge’s crevices, said Joel Diamond, a senior project manager with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The old bridge, a migratory corridor for about 25,000 bats, was deemed old and unsafe by officials several years ago, Diamond said. And the new Ina Road bridge, now flat-bottomed, initially wouldn’t have included the same nooks and crannies that protected the bats from Arizona’s hottest days and coldest nights.

But because of the combined efforts of environmental agencies, city officials and engineers, the bats – integral to agricultural pest control – don’t have to relocate this migration season.

Of all the bridges in Arizona, Ina Road Bridge is the first to see a design innovation in which bat habitats are prioritized during construction instead of post-completion, said Sandy Wolf, a wildlife biologist who has studied bat habitats in Tucson for decades.

“I’m hoping that this becomes a widespread practice,” Wolf said. “It’s been a very positive step.”

There are a couple thousand bats in nine boxes now, but Diamond, Wolf, and many others involved with the project hope to see more boxes installed, and at least 20,000 tenants by peak migration time in July.

Read the FULL ARTICLE which includes information on innovations in bat box technology, how bats serve the ecosystem, and the collaboration between the town of Marana, ADOT, AZGFD, RD Wildlife Management and several bat experts to make it happen.

MPD holds their annual awards ceremony

The Marana Police Department held their annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, February 28 at the Stardance Event Center in Marana.

For his work in thwarting auto thefts in the Town, Clayton Strahle was named Officer of the Year. As an investigator for the Arizona Auto Theft Taskforce played a role in the of 56 grand theft auto recoveries, vehicles with a value over $390,000.

“Clay’s success in this position was due to his willingness to always be readily available as a resource to his fellow officers in the state of Arizona who need assistance in their investigations,” said Captain Roberto Jimenez, who served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.

In a new tradition, they combined the awards ceremony with a badge pinning ceremony. Seven new officers were welcomed into the fold.

“It goes together so well with the award ceremony,” said Marana Police Department Chief Terry Rozema.

Rozema believed it was important welcome in the newest members of the organization on the same day some of the top performers are also recognized for their accomplishment. Although all seven officers have been on the job for a bit, Rozema and the MPD like to conduct the badge pinning as a way for the new officers to be welcomed by their peers, and involve their friends and family who play an important role in supporting the men and women of MPD. 

“We see this as an opportunity to welcome them with open arms,” Rozema said.

12 civilian employees were recognized for reaching milestone anniversaries, including Sheila Blevins, Tina Davis, and Grace Neal, who have been with MPD for 20 years.

Special recognition was given to the Arizona Rangers for their help with various functions, including special events and times when the MPD needs additional help.

“They are an amazing bunch of people,” said Rozema of the un-paid citizens auxiliary. “We are grateful for what they do for us.”

12 individuals received the Chief’s Citation of Excellence. Thomas Cox and Kitty Goyne were recognized for their contributions to the MPD’s volunteer group, the VIP’s. Cox has been instrumental in implementing the Tri-Star program that keeps local apartment complexes safer, whole Goyne helped with digitizing older case files and paperwork.

Lieutenants Tim Brunenkant and John DeStefano, as well as sergeants Joe Castillo, Will Hess, Steve Johnson, James Paul, Jeff Pridgett, Chriswell Scott, Jake Shumate, and Chris Warren were recognized for their hard work in helping to develop the sergeants promotional process.

“A process such as this takes a lot of planning and effort to determine who will be the next leader in our organization,” Jimenez said.

Officers Bradley Clifford, Hayden Mosher, and Kevin Trapp, as well as Detective Debra Kesterson, were presented with the Distinguished Service Award.

Donald Stuab was awarded Volunteer of the Year, while Crime Scene Specialist Brian Aronson was the department’s Civilian of the Year.

Marana PD Shop with a Volunteer / Shop with a Cop

Over the weekend the Marana Police Department and the Marana Police Volunteers hosted their first “Shop with a Volunteer/Shop with a Cop” event. On Saturday, February 25, thirty-five students from the Marana Unified School District went on a shopping spree at the Kohl’s in Marana.

The students were chosen based on their need and represented all ages, from the youngest elementary school students to an emancipated high school senior.

“These children and families are being selected by the school district as those who need a little help with some basic needs for the kids,” Marana Police Department Volunteer Thomas Cox.

Funding for the shopping spree was raised a few months ago at the Pride for the Patch golf tournament for first responders, military, and military veterans. The event was hosted by Marana Police Volunteers with support from the Marana Police Department.

“The plan with the proceeds from the event was to help our Marana community,” said Cox.

In addition to the funds provided by the Marana Police Volunteers, Kohl’s provided Kohl’s cash, as well as 25 percent off everything in the store.

“Kohl’s was fantastic,” said Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema. “They rolled out the red carpet.”

The store not only provided the discounts and bonus funds, but also had plenty of employees on hand to assist with their shopping needs. Students were able to purchase new clothing and shoes as well as other necessities.

This is the second donation from the golf tournament proceeds. The first occurred in December when the Marana Police Volunteers donated to Open Doors Community School. The school was selected due to its willingness to take in every student, including students who have struggled academically or with discipline issues at other schools.

This was their second Pride for the Patch golf tournament. In 2016 the Marana Police Department Volunteer Foundation presented a check for $12,377.07 to the pediatric unit at Banner University Medical Center.

Marana hosting a trio of community conversations

During the month of March, the Town of Marana will be hosting three neighborhood meetings at various locations within the Town. Among the topics being discussed will be:

• Commercial, residential, and roadway construction projects
• Community policing
• Parks and recreation
• Town budget
• upcoming Town Council elections

The Town will also have staff on hand to answer questions regarding code enforcement and animal services. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

The meetings will be held in Dove Mountain, South Marana, and North Marana and are designed to educate the public, as well as let residents interact with Town staff. 

Each meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and last until approximately 7:30 p.m.

March 8th
The Highlands at Dove Mountain- Ball Room
4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd.

March 14th
Wheeler Taft Abbett Library- Children's Room
7800 N. Schisler Dr.

March 22nd
Town of Marana- 2nd Floor Conference Center
11555 W. Civic Center Dr.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please call (520) 382-1926

2018 edition of MOVE Across 2 Ranges is a success

On Saturday, February 24, Marana Parks and Rec teamed up with their counterparts in Oro Valley to put on the 2017 edition of the MOVE Across 2 Ranges Hiking Challenge.

The event was designed as a way to explore nature and get active, by hitting the trails and experiencing the challenge and beauty of Southern Arizona’s Tortolita and Catalina Mountains in one day.

Marana hosted over 175 registered hikers who travelled distances ranging from 5 to 22 miles. The first group of hikers Group took off from Marana’s Wild Burro Trail head at 6 a.m. Saturday morning. 

There were over 20 trail volunteers who helped make the seventh edition of this event a success. The volunteers supported by providing guidance and ensuring the safety of the hikers

The event raised a $2,500 donation from sponsors Summit Hut and Patagonia to the Friends of Catalina State Park.

Marana Parks and Recreation hosts monthly guided hikes, horseback rides, and mountain bikes on the trails of the Tortolitas. For more information see their website.

Marana News: Conroy happy at the helm of Marana Parks and Recreation

The Marana News profiled Marana Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy. Conroy and his team manage 54 miles of trails, a wide array of amenities, and a lot of great programs for the public.

Managing the 54 miles of trails and the wide array of amenities which comprise Marana’s parks and rec system may seem a daunting task, but not when you have over 30 years of recreation experience and have ridden in El Tour de Tucson 22 times.

Jim Conroy, Marana’s new parks and recreation director, may as well have bike paths for veins and turf for hair. Prior to getting this new job on Nov. 6, Jim worked at Green Valley Recreation, the City of Tucson, the Grand Canyon and more. But after all that, the small town appeal drew him in.

“Marana has always been an area I’ve thought was exceptional,” Conroy said. “I think the potential of what we can do with the trails, fields and rec facilities here is great.”

Conroy became director of parks and rec during a period of great expansion and improvement in Marana, and hopes to continue that growth throughout his career. This summer alone, the town is slated to open the 17-acre Tangerine Sky Community Park, a new “splash pad” at Crossroads District Park and a new park in the Honea Heights neighborhood.

“It’s going to be a big summer for us,” Conroy said. “I see [Tangerine Sky Park] being particularly popular, especially with youth sports.” 

“With hiking, cycling, birding and youth sports communities, the level of support for outdoor amenities in Marana is outstanding,” Conroy said.  “This is the best community I’ve seen in regards to making parks and trails a reality. The connectivity to our parks is outstanding. You know, I’ve heard about the desire for recreation in Marana, but now that I’m here, I see it every day.”

Read the full story at the Marana News

MPD, Border Patrol, and Sheriff Dept. team for Coffee with Cop

The Marana Police Department is participating in another Coffee with a Cop event on March 2, Hosted by the Tucson Border Patrol Station, the event will also feature the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

The event is from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Dunkin Donuts at 8002 North Cortaro Road and is designed to give community members a chance to ask questions and discuss issues of concern with officers, agents, and deputies. The hope is to strengthen the relationship between the community and law enforcement officers.

“The Coffee with a Cop events have been fantastic ways to interact with the community,” said Marana Police Department Community Resource Officer David Danielson. “We are excited to participate with other law enforcement agencies, to allow our residents to interact with more of those serving the community.”

 “Coffee with a Cop” is a national campaign started in 2011 as a way for law enforcement to interact with the citizens they serve.

The Border Patrol is hosting these events in an effort to have residents to ask agents questions and learn more about this hot button topic that impacts Southern Arizona. The Border Patrol is dedicated to reducing illicit activity along border communities, as well as fostering and contributing to the betterment of the communities in which they live and serve. 

For more information contact Officer David Danielson at the Marana Community Resource Unit at 520-382-2051 or 520-382-2055.

A Look At Pavement Preservation, Pt. 1

Marana’s Pavement Preservation Program was designed to give Marana great roads. There is a lot to the program, from what the program hopes to accomplish, what methods are utilized, and how the roads are selected for repair. In this multi-part series, we will look at all aspects of the program. Part 1 is an overview and explanation of the program.  

The Town of Marana instituted the Pavement Preservation Program in an effort to keep their roadways in the best possible condition and to do so in a cost-effective manner. As of 2016 the town had 511 miles of road, roughly the same distance between Marana and Malibu. 

The first goal of the program is to maintain drivable roadways and do so in a cost effective manner. The preservation program’s specific goals follow a proactive maintenance philosophy to improve pavement conditions over time, reduce overall maintenance costs, and delay the rate of deterioration due to weather, chemicals, and wear and tear.

The second component of the goal is to increase safety and meet community satisfaction expectations that every road in Marana provides a safe and smooth surface for drivers and their passengers.

Although some roads are completely repaved, most are just repaired. This not only extends the life of the road, but reduces future repair costs. The proactive approach in the maintenance of the town’s roads can delay the rate of asphalt deterioration, reduce overall maintenance costs, and improve pavement conditions over time. While everyone loves to drive on a smooth road, comfort is not the only consideration. Repaired roads increase safety while reducing liability.

Operation costs are funded by Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF), state fees, taxes, and charges relating to the registration and operation of motor vehicles to fund road repairs. Over the past two years, 100 percent of HURF money has gone to the pavement preservation program. Salaries for employees are funded by the Town’s General Fund.

In part two of this series we will look at how the Town rates the roads and figures out which projects become a priority.

Founders' Day Blog: Favorite Parade Moments

One  major thing that sets Founders’ Day apart from the other Marana signature events is the parade. This annual spectacle attracts lots of Marana residents to line the sidewalks and watch all the great vehicles, floats, and people glide by.

The parade has had a number of great features. There have been monster trucks, farm machinery, and even a marriage proposal. Here is a list of some of our favorite moments at the Marana Founders’ Day parade.

Horses – Everyone loves horses (unless you have Equinophobia) and the Marana Founder’s Day Parade has plenty of horses. Horses are central to Marana’s farming and ranching legacy, and there are plenty of these majestic animals on display.

Marching Bands – Few things are more integral to a parade than marching bands. Both Marana and Mountain View High Schools have participated in the past and both do a fantastic job providing the soundtrack to the parade. With their colorful costumes and perfect formations, these are some musicians to be proud of.

Floats – The Marana Founders’ Day parade features some great people and organizations. Nearly every school is represented with students smiling, waving, and throwing candy. You are apt to get a teacher wearing a silly costume, and even a mascot or ten. Other floats feature non-profits, churches, and the local businesses that make up the backbone of the Marana community.

Shriner Cars –What could be more thrilling than people wearing fez hats and driving mini-go carts in tight formation before breaking off to do tricks?

Classic Tractors – Like the horses above, tractors are a key part of Marana’s heritage. The Marana Founders’ Day parade has a wide variety of tractors, most of them classic tractors. Some are quite recognizable as the recent precursors to today’s farming machinery. Most are painted the way they looked when they first hit the farm, while others have been painted a variety of bright colors, including a few all-pink tractors.

Police and Fire – The Marana Police Department and various local fire departments get to display their vehicles during the parade. Who is not taken back to childhood when they see a shiny, red fire engine? The MPD motor patrol are also a highlight as they ride together on their matte black motorcycles, showing off how well they handle the impressive machines.

Cool Cars – Whether you like classic cars, new sports cars, or off-road vehicles, the parade has plenty of  interesting vehicles. These cars are the perfect way to let those being honored in the parade to wave to the crowd, and even drop some goodies to the kids. From Town officials to beauty queens to worthwhile organizations, these slick rides have a little bit of everything.

Crowds/Candy – Happy families coming out to celebrate Founder’s Day is what it is all about. Of course, for the kids it is also about the candy being thrown by man in the parade. Children scramble to collect all the candy and goodies tossed out from the floats and vehicles. From some of Marana’s oldest residents, to tiny little babies who have just begun to make Marana their home, every type of person imaginable comes out to the parade.

Cement Trucks – What’s better than big, rumbly cement trucks? How about a bright pink, big, rumbly cement truck?

New free-standing emergency department brings jobs, amenities to Town

On behalf of Marana Town Council and staff, Vice Mayor Jon Post welcomed the new Northwest Emergency Center to the community on February 9. The new facility is located at Twin Peaks and I-10 at the Marana Center. 

The project brings jobs and services to Town residents. The facility costs an estimated $8.5 million and will bring more than 30 new medical jobs to Marana while providing 24/7 medical services to residents in the area including quick access from Dove Mountain and Gladden Farms.

“Healthcare is evolving and we’re excited to have a Free Standing Emergency Department (FESD) that will deliver full emergency care in Marana,” said Marana Director of Economic Development & Tourism Curt Woody. “In addition to a much needed amenity, the facility will employ 30 well paying positions that will add to our Town’s strategy of diversifying our employment sector.”

The facility is a somewhat unique concept in the area, though the model is quickly gaining popularity across the country. It is essentially an emergency room/emergency department without a larger hospital on-site. While it lacks inpatient beds and is not equipped for major surgery, it does have an ambulance bay, triage, radiology, and lab. A board-certified emergency physician is always on-site.

Like any hospital emergency department, the new NEC Marana will be equipped to treat patients with illnesses and injuries that require a higher level of care than urgent care facilities offer. Many emergency services can be effectively managed at an FSED without the need for transfer to a traditional hospital setting. If a higher level of care is required, a patient can be transported quickly to nearby Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital, or the facility of their choice.

Board-certified emergency physicians, registered nurses and other patient care professionals will staff the center, and 30 employees also will be hired to serve patients at the new center, including registered nurses and lab, imaging, admitting and environmental services staff.

It is the second such facility in Southern Arizona for Northwest Healthcare. The first opened in Vail in late 2015. The same company also owns Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital and five urgent care centers, in addition to primary care clinics and its freestanding ERs.

Northwest Healthcare has been serving the Marana area in various capacities for years and is looking at other ways to expand in the Town. The company owns 62 acres in the community that they currently have earmarked for a future hospital. 

Marana to take part in Joint Warrant Resolution Court on Mar. 3

The Town of Marana Municipal Court is participating it the Pima County Joint Warrant Resolution Court Event. On Saturday March 3, 2018 between 8:00 am -12:00 pm, all of Tucson’s area courts will join together at 240 N. Stone Avenue to help individuals resolve their outstanding warrant(s) and/or pending traffic or criminal case(s). 

Judges and staff from the following courts will participate in the Joint Warrant Resolution Court Event:

• Pima County Consolidated Justice Court
• Green Valley Justice Court
• Marana Municipal Court
• Oro Valley Magistrate Court
• Sahaurita Municipal Court
• South Tucson City Court
• Tucson City Court

Many of the outstanding warrants issued by these courts are for failure to appear in court on prior charges or for non-compliance with court sentencing orders.  Outstanding warrants may result in the suspension of a person’s driver’s license. The Joint Saturday Warrant Resolution Court Event will provide an opportunity for the public to take care of pending court matters during nontraditional court hours.

Court staff will be available to assist those who owe court fees and fines, setup or re-establish payment plans and lift driver license suspensions.

Project Ina Photo Gallery

This week marked the 1-year anniversary of the start of the Ina Interchange Project construction. A lot has been done in those 12 months and Arizona Department of Transportation photographers came out earlier this month to capture some of the progress that the project has undergone. 

With the completion of this project, Ina Road will become elevated and pass over I-10 and the Union Pacific Railroad. The existing frontage roads and ramps will require reconstruction to intersect with the crossroad in its reconstructed (elevated) position.

The project includes two-lane, one-way frontage roads along each side of I-10 and necessary crossroad widening at the frontage road intersections and eliminate the existing at-grade railroad crossings of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks at Ina Road.

As part of the project the bridge over the Santa Cruz on Ina Road will be rebuilt and expanded to four lanes. 

Tucson News Now: Project Ina hits 1-year mark

Today marks the 1-year anniversary of the start of the Ina Interchange Project. Tucson News Now had a report highlighting some of the businesses who are doing well despite the construction challenges.

Tom Herrmann with Arizona Department of Transportation said the project is on track to be finished on time and on budget and so far there have not been an major snags.

Tucson News Now

Marana In The Media: Pinal Airpark "Boneyard"

Most of us never get to see the comings and goings out at the Pinal Airpark. ABC 15 in Phoenix's John Trierweiler got to tour the facility that employs around 350 people and has the capacity for more than 400 aircraft on-site, specializing in aircraft storage, reclamation and heavy maintenance. In fact, not all aircraft that land in the desert have been retired; many will either get maintenance work done or just sit in storage waiting for their next flight. 

He posted video of his time at the airpark.